Causes of Pain in the Cervical Spine

The cervical spine is the top seven vertebrae of the 24 bones stacked upon each other that make up the backbone or spinal column. The neck is the area of these seven bones and eight nerves. Surrounded by tissues such as muscles, ligaments, nerves and blood vessels, the vertebrae also surround the spinal cord which is the foundation of nerve sensation and movement for the human body.  More mobile than the lower regions of the back, the cervical spine also has designated openings in the vertebrae that allow blood to be carried to the brain. The muscles, nerves and ligaments work in complex ways to support the head.

The muscles of the cervical spine are amazing in that they allow the head to twist from side to side, bend forward and backward and rotate in a circle. They relax and contract together as needed to carry out what the brain directs. The spinal muscles are very strong, made up of muscle cells, fibers, bundles and muscle groups. They are woven together as a rope, yet much stronger and more intricate than any rope. These muscles that we are barely aware of are constantly moving and reacting to the demands put on them. This is why it is important to keep them moving, as inactivity causes rigidity and eventually, pain.

Each bone and nerve in the cervical spine is numbered and represents what bodily function is controlled by it. There are eight nerves (C) in the cervical spine that control function in the following areas:

C1 – head and neck

C2 – head and neck

C3 – Diaphragm

C4 – Upper body muscles in the shoulders and arms

C5 – Wrists

C6 – Wrists

C7 – Triceps

C8 – Hands

On either side of each vertebra is the neural foramen that carries the sensation to the specific body part, all the way down the spine. The foramen is the protector that will carry the nerve impulses from the brain to the rest of the body. Damage to any of the nerves or nerve roots of the cervical spine will cause pain, tingling, weakness or numbness in the area identified.

The ligaments of the back are the straps that hold the spinal muscles intact. Located on almost every surface of the cervical spine, ligaments help to prevent any excessive or unusual movement and protect the muscles. Their blood supply is limited in the same way the bones are meaning that unless severe injury is incurred to them, they are an unlikely source of pain.

The cervical spine is held together by more than ligaments, muscles and joints. An intervertebral disc sits between each vertebra to cushion the bones and to absorb stress, yet allow the spine flexibility. Made up of a thick, multilayered outer ring called the annulus fibrosis and an inner ring called the nucleus pulposus, a cervical spine disc works much like a tire, supporting the weight of the head while the vertebrae virtually float upon each other.

A few mentions of pain have been made above regarding the cervical spine. When a muscle is strained or sprained from possibly whiplash or a sports injury, rest, ice and heat should be employed for healing. Arthritis, stenosis (tightening of the spinal canal on the spinal cord) and disc herniation or slippage are other causes of pain in the cervical spine. These conditions typically require consultation with a health care practitioner.